Depression 'depletes bone density'

An international team, led by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, analysed data collected from over 8,000 men and women from central Norway who had participated in the internationally renowned Nord Trondelag Health Study.

Participants underwent forearm bone mineral density scans, as well as completing a questionnaire regarding current depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Other factors that may be associated with both psychiatric symptoms and bone, such as body weight and height, as well as physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, medication use, calcium and caffeine intake and current medical conditions were also examined in the study.

Team member Dr Lana Williams of Deakin University said they found depressive symptoms, as well as anxiety symptoms in men, were associated with lowerbone mineral density.

"Even after taking into account other medical and lifestyle factors, this finding persisted.

"Thereare several known risk factors for low bone mineral density, such as advanced age, gender (women are at greater risk than men), familial predisposition, low levels of sex hormones, inadequate calcium intake and vitamin D deficiency," Dr Williams said.

"It is possible that poor mental health could be another one of these risk factors," Dr Williams added.